Is Huawei Watch 2 Sport Still Worth Buying in 2024?

When I first unboxed the Huawei Watch 2 Sport back in 2017, I remember being genuinely impressed by its blend of fitness tracking and smart features. Seven years later, as I strap it on again in 2024, I find myself asking the same question many potential buyers are probably wondering: is this aging wearable still worth your hard-earned money? Much like Chot Reyes trying to diagnose what's ailing TNT early in its PBA Philippine Cup campaign, we need to dig deep to understand whether this veteran smartwatch still has what it takes to compete in today's crowded market.

Let me be honest from the start - I've always had a soft spot for Huawei's wearable designs. The Watch 2 Sport sits comfortably on my wrist even today, with its 45mm case feeling neither too bulky nor too delicate. The ceramic bezel still looks surprisingly modern, though the 1.2-inch AMOLED display does show its age when compared to newer smartwatches. At 390 x 390 pixels, it's not as sharp as what you'd get from recent models, but honestly? For checking notifications and tracking workouts, it's perfectly serviceable. The always-on display feature works decently, though it does drain the battery faster - something I'll get into later.

Where this watch really surprised me in 2024 is its performance. Running on Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear 2100 platform with 768MB of RAM, I expected significant lag and frustration. But here's the thing - for basic smartwatch functions, it still holds up remarkably well. Notifications come through reliably, music controls work without hiccups, and basic apps load within acceptable timeframes. It's not going to win any speed competitions against the Apple Watch Series 9 or Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, but considering you can find this watch for under $100 in the refurbished market, the performance-to-price ratio is actually quite compelling.

The fitness tracking capabilities present an interesting case study in technological evolution. The heart rate monitor provides reasonably accurate readings during steady-state cardio, though it struggles somewhat with high-intensity interval training. GPS acquisition takes about 45 seconds on average - not terrible, but noticeably slower than contemporary devices. Where it really shows its age is in the software ecosystem. Huawei's health platform has evolved significantly since 2017, and the Watch 2 Sport doesn't benefit from many of the newer algorithms and tracking features. Still, for basic running, cycling, and gym sessions, it gets the job done.

Battery life is where we see the biggest generational gap. Under normal usage with always-on display disabled, I'm getting about a day and half of use - that's with sleep tracking, about 90 minutes of GPS activity, and regular notification checks. If you're coming from newer smartwatches that promise multiple days of battery life, this might feel restrictive. However, compared to many Apple Watch models that still struggle to reach 24 hours, it's not dramatically worse. The charging puck uses proprietary connectors rather than modern wireless standards, which means if you lose it, you're in trouble.

Software support is probably the most significant limitation in 2024. The watch runs Wear OS 2.0, which feels ancient compared to the current Wear OS 3.5 and 4.0 versions. Many newer apps aren't compatible, and security updates ceased years ago. This is similar to how Chot Reyes might feel looking at TNT's early PBA Philippine Cup campaign - sometimes you're working with tools that just aren't cutting edge anymore. However, for users who primarily want notifications, basic fitness tracking, and music controls, the core functionality remains intact.

Here's my personal take after using it extensively in 2024: the Huawei Watch 2 Sport makes the most sense as a secondary fitness device or for someone dipping their toes into smartwatches without significant investment. At current prices of around $80-$120 for refurbished units, it delivers about 65-70% of the core functionality of a $300 modern smartwatch. The built-in GPS still works reliably, the heart rate monitoring is adequate for most casual athletes, and the design has aged gracefully. I particularly appreciate having both Wi-Fi and NFC payments, features that are sometimes missing from budget modern alternatives.

The comparison to TNT's situation in the PBA Philippine Cup is quite apt actually. Just as Coach Reyes needs to work with the roster he has rather than wishing for new players, potential buyers need to understand this watch's limitations and strengths within its current context. It's not going to compete head-to-head with flagship 2024 models, but it doesn't need to at its price point. Where it excels is delivering a competent smartwatch experience that covers the essentials without breaking the bank.

After several weeks of testing, I've found myself reaching for the Watch 2 Sport more often than I expected. There's something refreshing about using a device that does the basics well without overwhelming you with features you'll never use. The sleep tracking provides useful insights despite not being as advanced as current algorithms, the step counting remains accurate, and having standalone GPS for runs means I can leave my phone behind. The 4GB storage is sufficient for about 500-600 songs, which makes it great for workout playlists.

So, is the Huawei Watch 2 Sport still worth buying in 2024? If you can find it at the right price and understand its limitations, absolutely. It's perfect for students, budget-conscious consumers, or anyone who wants to experiment with smartwatches without significant financial commitment. The technology world often pushes us toward the newest and shiniest devices, but sometimes the better value lies in capable older hardware that still gets the job done. Just like in sports, sometimes veteran players who understand the fundamentals can still contribute meaningfully to the game, even if they're not the flashiest names on the roster. The Watch 2 Sport may be seven years old, but it still has some fight left in it.